But instead of being scared to think about what might lie ahead for the gelding, the ever-positive Lewis, who has only had her trainer's licence for five years, is excited about thinking big.

"We're definitely not frightened about it, we're looking forward to what the future might hold," she said.

"Every time he goes onto the track he does something that we didn't think he could and we just hope that continues."

Last night that involved accounting for the strongest field of trotters assembled for a race so far this season in the $20,000 Group 3 event.

The son of Roydon Boy, who started at $12, overcame a 10-metre handicap to run down $1.70 favourite Save A Sixpence in the 2575-metre standing start event. Fourteen metres away in third spot was $88 chance Pepperell Dancer.

Lewis has always been in awe of Billy Royle's tenacity, but even she was stunned by the fight he showed last night against one of Australia's emerging stars.

"I thought that maybe Save A Sixpence would be able to find enough to hold us out, but Billy just kept fighting and finding, which was the most exciting thing," she said. "That's why he's won the races he's won."

The mile rate was 2:03.9, which included a 29.7-second final quarter.

Billy Royle is the early feelgood story of the 2008/09 harness racing season. Although 10 years of age he has raced just 49 times and last night's success was his 10th career win - but his fifth from his past 12 starts - and took his earnings to more than $76,000.

Billy Royle's win was the highlight of a big night's racing when the bookmakers struck back. Seven days after the quaddie paid just $24 at Moonee Valley, last night's four-leg bet type paid in excess of $102,000.

Talented six-year-old Romeo Castle sealed the bumper dividend with his win at $21 in the Caravan Industry Victoria Cup, while Walton Van injected the early value with his win at $30 in the second leg, the Gordon Rothacker Medal Pace.

Kicking off the run of upsets was Royal Suspect, who won the second qualifier as a $44 chance, while Eagles Blood ($3.20) and Crimson Knight ($8.80) booked their spots in next Saturday night's $25,000 final with wins in the other heats.

Brad Bishop